I Installed Geocell in a Paddock and Here is How it Turned Out

I decided after much frustration with the mud and with much research, to try a package of Geocell soil stabilizer available much less costly then competitors through Amazon. Here is the link to the product: www.amazon.com/Geocell-BaseCo...
I tried this one because it was advertised as suitable for horses and it's weight load was capable. I went with the 3inch depth (it comes in 2inch, 3 inch, of 4 inch) and figured for the price I could get 2/3 of mt worst paddock completed. While some of the other products like this one require stakes, I liked that this holds it's strength by the rocks and without the need for stakes (only to stretch it out with and then removed after). I opted for the stretch panel versus the hard grid because of its larger square footage with less "joints or seams" although I would still like to try a grid version for comparison as I imagine installation would be easier.

[@DNomer]

It is hard to tell, but it does not look like you are opening the cells very far, so it goes less far in such a case. I have used this stuff in a wet area, and it is better if you put landscape fabric under it to prevent the gravel from merging down into the mud. I also would maybe use 1 1/2" minus in the cells, and then skim it with 3/4" rock on top to smooth it out a bit. I notice that when you used the tractor, you did not pull any material out of the paddock, but merely smoothed it out. I would get the mud out first. Rock stands up to water and lets the water flow through. Mud turns to slop when wet.

[@briant9723]

Geotextile fabric under the gravel. It keeps the gravel from being pushed down into the dirt and dirt from migrating up

[@StarrTrekn]

I needed this video! Thank you! Our paddock and barn are on a slope that is getting really bad erosion for the last 2 years. We will have to use the geo fabric but still, this is a great find compared to other companies over charging for the same thing. I'm trying to price this out along with a French drain system that will go along the base of the barn. I'd like to request a follow up video now that it's 2 years later....pros/cons anything you suggest etc. Thanks!!

[@rontresek8394]

Usually any gravelled area should be compacted. Using a vibrating plate tamper would work well in a small area.

[@ninahalvorson9451]

I've found that the horses pack it well enough that I haven't had any completions. However, I did use a plate compactor for thr gravel base under my round pen ;)

[@birchtreefarm1]

I was wondering if this installation is still holding up well under use? And also, do you know what the length and width of each cell was when stretched out?

[@briant9723]

Geotrctile fabric under gravel to keep it from being pushed into the ground and dirt from pushing up through it

[@waspmeat]

Hi 👋👋 Do you guys have any advise on ground stakes to hold down the cells? IE - type and how many to buy? and place them every cell or every other cell on the parameter? Also did you leave your stakes in after the cells were filled or did you pull them? Many thanks 🙏🏼

[@donnaallen3709]

Could I get the link to the product you bought please? I couldn’t find the size you mentioned in a general search. And how is it holding up now? Thanks

[@dianakingsley8672]

Wish you showed us what the panels looked like and how you installed them before you added your fill

[@robertmclean6629]

Base preparation and surface compaction seems to work better for a more stable finished surface.

[@andrepedzik2047]

Have tried such stuff in my dog kennels to help with drainage and keep the dogs on a more solid surface. They really do not work and I followed the instructions to the teeth and did not skimp on gravel or materials. Find yourself a qualified sand and stone landscaper and have the proper road base sand mixes put in, the stuff at your local garden center is not what will do the

[@possiblyferal3923]

I know it hasn't been long but I am curious how it is holding up so far? Considering this for our muddy areas

[@ninahalvorson9451]

Actually I was planning on posting a month later review. Right now I'm really really happy with it. Im not sure about a horse who digs but here in rainy pnw it's the best one condition wise of my paddocks by far

[@kristinastevens8757]

It can help to put crushed stone sand garden cloth two layers down first then the stone again so the top layers where they walk won’t pack in the stone with mud

[@juttak4484]

That is bc the more you add the more Mudd you get. You need drainage .just putting rocks under it is not going to work. I doubt this new way will work. You should not keep horses in such small muddy places. That is another reason for the Mudd. Simply use your grass paddocks. Horses need to be in larger spaces. At least 1 acres per horse.

[@rodneysmith8565]

I almost couldn't after hearing you pronounce paddock. Good work though. Informative.

[@sentra6661]

is not kinda expensive? i mean its like 300 bucks for 300 square feet, no? or im mistaken?

[@ninahalvorson9451]

That's right, but comparatively to other brands/ companies they are considerably more money per square foot.

[@grantpiper9543]

Dont put the slop back in thicko

[@jesseplz]

He like wtf is this?!?

[@user-zw1xs8qw9y]

hard to understand why all the geo products are so pricey. you may and i missed it but you could have dug out all the rock mud, laid woven geo fabric or just the geo grid, them reused same old rock mud to refill the grid. geo fabric rocks. with out it a bucket of gravel and a bucket of mud turns into one bucket of mud.

[@ninahalvorson9451]

That's what I did 😀 I get a lot of comments about what the base "should " be, but I don't respond back because they either didn't listen to what I said in the video, but also don't know my own personal situation. These paddocks when originally put in are about 8 inches down with 2-4" crushed rock over fabric, then 5/8 or 3/4- on top of that. So what I scraped is just the muck layer but the base was still firm and good to go.